Public school has started again so I thought it would be a great time to post about why we homeschool and answer questions from those who are curious or think we've lost our minds. I'll start by telling how we came to the decision to homeschool.
My aunt is a mother of 12 (yes TWELVE, all from the same body, all by my uncle). She started homeschooling back in the 80's when homeschooling was unheard of. We all used words like "cult" and felt sorry for her poor deprived children who would be lacking in social skills and never make it in the real world.
Now her oldest 5 have left home, and they have not only survived, but thrived. They are confident, responsible, adventurous young adults. Even better, they are strong in faith and have wonderful relationships with their parents and each other.
When Drew was almost 3, we started visiting my aunt weekly. He was in pre-school 2 days per week, and from time to time, my aunt would say things like, "In school there are 12 kids to 1 teacher. The kids are teaching each other. And don't think they're teaching anything good." To these comments I would nod and think, "That's great for you, but I am NOT going to homeschool."
A year before Drew was to start Kindergarten, I decided to research our schooling options - public, private or homeschool. J automatically said he'd pay the $5K for private school if he had to, but homeschooling was out! Around that time, a friend invited me to a seminar about homeschooling. From then on I was hooked.
I read books about homeschooling, attended book fairs and joined a local home school group to check things out. My husband knew a few men at work whose children are homeschooled and one of them gave him a set of CDs about homeschooling. He listened to them, and agreed to try it for a year. Now to tell our loved ones.
Our family supported us wholeheartedly. Our friends with children thought we were crazy and found interesting ways to confront us about our decision. I was most afraid to tell my four friends who are public school teachers. They were my biggest cheerleaders and one of them cried tears of joy upon hearing our decision (which should tell you something).
I started that first year with fear and trembling, but now homeschooling feels like a natural extension of my role as a parent and I can't imagine having made any other decision (though I don't judge those who choose otherwise).
So here's your chance to ask me about homeschooling. No question is off limits and no hard feelings. You can even confront me here without luring us to your house under the guise of serving us dinner. E-mail me or post here in the comments section. Feel free to post anonymously.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
A certain earthy couple has asked if we are a granola family.
To be "granola" (or "crunchy") in homeschooling circles, you have to use cloth diapers, homemade laundry detergent, all natural cleaners, eat whole foods or raw diet, grind your own wheat, ferment kefir from grains, use herbs to cure illness, make your own tinctures, take vitamins and enzymes, home birth, no vaccines, no birth control, see a naturopath or chiropractor, milk goats, make cheese, drink unpasturized milk, raise chickens for eggs, sew your own clothes, crochet washcloths, use cloth sanitary napkins and build your own home out in the country.
I'm sure I am forgetting a few things, but suffice to say - we aren't there yet. My guess is it aint happenin. LOL! :)
I think homeschooling is great for those who have the patience to do it. I am really afraid that I would not be diciplined enough to educate my children at home. We get off task with just the few little preschool lessons I try. I taught public school (6-12 grade) for 13 years and it was easier than teaching my teaching my 3 year old her shapes and colors.
Post a Comment